Madison Square Garden | FAQs

Whether it’s your first or 50th time at Madison Square Garden taking in a sporting or entertainment event, you’re bound to be in need of a few recommendations to ensure you have the most epic experience possible. These tips are sure to make your visit with us unforgettable.

If there are any comments you’d like to share regarding your experience, before, during or after an event, please call our Guest Relations Department at 212.465.6225 or email guestrelations@msg.com.

FAQs

Alcohol Serving and Consumption

For most of our events at Madison Square Garden, alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. MSG staff is trained in the nationally recognized T.E.A.M. (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) Training program for responsible alcohol management. Alcohol sales will be limited per customer per transaction, based on the event. All guests may be required to show ID to purchase alcohol. Guests are not permitted to bring in alcoholic beverages from outside and may not leave with alcohol purchased inside MSG. Management reserves the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to any guest.

For New York Knicks & New York Rangers afternoon games:

Alcohol purchases will be limited to one beverage per person per transaction.

Alcohol and beer will only be served at permanent bars, beer pubs and select portable locations around the arena.

Alcohol sales will cease at the start of the third quarter for New York Knicks games and at the start of the third period for New York Rangers games.

Please be aware that it is the policy of The Madison Square Garden Company to require all guests who appear to be forty (40) years of age or younger to present a valid form of ID with proof of age in order to purchase alcoholic beverages at Madison Square Garden. Pursuant to applicable State law, we accept only the following forms of identification:

A valid driver’s license or non-driver identification card issued by the United States Government, a State Government, Commonwealth, Possession or Territory of the United States or a Provincial Government of Canada

A valid passport

A valid U.S. military ID

Animals

We love animals as much as you do, however, only service animals are permitted inside Madison Square Garden. Please visit our Disabled Services page for our rules and regulations.

Bag Policy

To help ensure that everybody can enjoy an unforgettable and safe experience, we strongly discourage guests from bringing unnecessary bags, particularly backpacks, into our venues. All bags will be subject to thorough screening, including the use of x-ray screening where available, which can delay entry. Guests and employees who do not have a bag can take advantage of our No Bag Express Lines.

Cameras/Photography

We want you to be able to re-live the epic experiences you have at our venues, however, camera equipment can get in the way of your fellow fan’s enjoyment.

There are also instances when the artist prefers to perform in a phone-free environment; meaning cellphones, smart watches, cameras and recording devices will be prohibited.

Code of Conduct

Guests shall be respectful of others around them.

Guests shall avoid blocking the view of other Guests.

During some concerts, the artists may request that guests be permitted to stand immediately in front of their seats during the entirety of the performance. On those occasions, standing guests shall continue to be respectful of others around them and avoid blocking the view of other guests.

Guests shall not interfere with the event, the performers or the athletes in any way.

Guests shall refrain from using foul/offensive language, fighting, obscene gestures, throwing objects and engaging in other behavior detrimental to the experience of other guests.

Guests shall not walk around in the seating area until there is a stoppage in play (during sporting events). Televisions are placed inside each entrance so that you may enjoy the game while you wait for a break in play. Please stand at the bottom of the stairs and do not block the view of those ticketholders who are seated.

Guests shall not stand on seats or any other building structure.

Guests shall not block the aisles.

Guests shall not occupy a seat or remain in an area for which they do not possess a valid ticket and shall provide their ticket upon request.

As required by the City of New York, guests shall not smoke anywhere in our facilities.

Guests who consume alcoholic beverages shall do so in a responsible manner.

Guests are encouraged to report inappropriate or offensive behavior to an Usher, Security Officer or Guest Experience Representative.

The arena staff has been trained to intervene when deemed necessary and to use their best discretion to help ensure that guests who ignore the Code of Conduct do not interfere with other guests’ ability to enjoy an event. Guests who violate the Code of Conduct may be subject to ejection without refund and, to the extent their conduct constitutes a violation of law, may be subject to arrest. Season ticketholders may also be subject to having their season subscription revoked. We thank you for your cooperation.

Defining Moments Presented by SAP

Twenty of The Garden’s “Defining Moments” Presented by SAP are commemorated on Level 6 (SAP Madison Concourse) and Level 8 (Garden Concourse) through special exhibits that feature photos, memorabilia and additional artifacts, representing each of these amazing moments in Garden history. The first 10 “Defining Moments” were unveiled in Fall 2012 on the Madison Concourse, and the second 10 were revealed on the Garden Concourse for debut in Fall 2013.

Disabled Services

Meeting the needs of our guests with disabilities at Madison Square Garden is a never-ending commitment—we want to make your visit with us an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Please visit our Disabled Services page for a full range of our accommodations, programs and policies.

Emergency, In Case Of

Madison Square Garden is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all our guests. If there is an emergency, you can either call the security office at 212.465.6299 or the event manager’s office at 212.465.6292.

Families

Strollers. You may bring strollers to events; however, please understand that these strollers must be collapsible and fit comfortably under your seat.

Nursing mothers. A mother may nurse her little one in any public location where she is comfortable and authorized to be (breast pumps are permitted). Nursing mothers seeking more discreet accommodations are welcome to use the family restrooms.

First Aid

The safety and well-being of our guests is very important to us—if you begin to feel ill or find that you require medical assistance, please see an usher immediately.

The Garden is equipped with Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) which are located throughout the building. Designated employees, including our medical staff, have been properly trained and certified to use AEDs.

Handouts/Leaflets/Vending

The distribution of promotional items, flyers, handbills or printed materials is not permitted without written permission of Madison Square Garden. In addition, vending, peddling or product sampling is not allowed.

Lost and Found

Whether you misplaced something before, during or after an event, we’re here to help. If you’ve lost something, please contact our security office at 212.465.6299 or speak with an usher or guest experience representative for further assistance.

Outside Food and Beverages

We’re all for you grabbing a bite to eat or a drink before making your way to The Garden for your event, however, any outside food and beverages (including cans and bottles) are not permitted inside.

Parking

Find parking for your event through ParkWhiz, the Official Parking App of Madison Square Garden, and book your space today. Click here to explore nearby garage and lot locations.

Going to an event at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden? Click here.

Prohibited Items

In addition to the above mentioned items, there are a few things that are not permitted inside Madison Square Garden:

Protective Netting (Hockey)

During hockey games at Madison Square Garden, protective netting is hung above the glass behind both goals. This precaution limits the amount of pucks that leave the ice and enter the seating area. Although the netting adds an extra precaution, MSG reminds you to stay alert at all times.

Pucks

Pucks that go into the stands during hockey games may be kept by the patron who catches the puck. Please note that while protective netting is put in place at each end of the rink, pucks may still go into the stands. The hockey pucks are made out of 100% vulcanized rubber and are chilled. When these pucks go into the stands they can cause serious injuries, so please stay alert at all times.

Security

At MSG, we place the safety and security of our guests above all else. For that reason, we continuously assess and upgrade security measures across all of our venues, including the recent introduction of more rigorous bag screenings.

Please plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to pass through security. Thank you in advance for helping us create a safe environment for you and our guests.

Smoking

In compliance with New York City regulations, there is no smoking, including electronic cigarettes, permitted anywhere in Madison Square Garden. This policy is strictly enforced. Violation of this regulation is grounds for ejection.

Ticketing

Box office. The Box Office is open Monday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST (hours subject to change). If your event takes place on Sunday, the Box Office will open at 12 p.m. or 90 minutes before the event start time. On the first day of sale, tickets for concerts are not sold at the Box Office and may only be purchased on Ticketmaster, the official ticket resale marketplace of Madison Square Garden (convenience fees apply).

Children’s tickets. If you’re taking your little one who has reached their first birthday to a family event at The Garden, they are required to have a ticket.

Lost or stolen tickets. If you’ve lost your tickets or they’ve been stolen before your event takes place, please return to your point of purchase for assistance.

Ticket resales. Please note that New York law prohibits the resale of tickets within 1,500 feet from Madison Square Garden. Unlawful resale can be punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

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